Newsmaker: Aletta Brady ’15
Aletta Brady ’15 of Our Climate Voices was awarded the J.M.K. Innovation Prize, which recognizes organizations tackling America’s most pressing challenges through social innovation. In a press release, Brady, the founder and executive director of this climate justice organization, explained, “We employ the power of ethical, digital storytelling to humanize the climate disaster.” Erik Snyder, CEO of the Drawdown Fund, noted, “It has the potential to link a future existential threat—climate change—to a personal level and impact.” Each awardee receives up to $175,000 over three years and participates in a supportive learning collaborative of fellow change agents. At Wesleyan, Brady majored in government.
Christine Bolzan ’92 was recently appointed chief operating officer of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI). A nonprofit enterprise, GMGI conducts cutting-edge marine biotechnology research and hosts an annual international forum, with the additional goal of expanding the regional economy. In her role, Bolzan will expand the institute’s biotech academy and commercialize the institute’s research. Previously, Bolzan served as director of career education at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, as well as a leadership coach at Harvard Business School. She began her career at JP Morgan, eventually leading her own startup company and taking on board roles with both academic institutions and entrepreneurial ventures. At Wesleyan, Bolzan majored in government.
Christopher Roellke ’87, PhD, was elected the 10th president of Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Chair of the Stetson University Board of Trustees Joe Cooper said, “Dr. Roellke is bringing an outstanding record of energetic leadership in higher education and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities Stetson University faces.” Previously a professor of education at Vassar College, where he was appointed dean of the college, emeritus, Roellke is also past president of the Association of Education Finance and Policy. He was a 2014 Fulbright scholar, and the founder and fundraiser of Vassar College’s Urban Education Initiative. Roellke majored in government at Wesleyan and earned his doctorate at Cornell University. He is married to Kim Greenberg Roellke ’87, DVM; the couple has three daughters.
Francisco Tezén ’97 was appointed president and CEO of A Better Chance, a national nonprofit that places young people of color into the leadership pipeline through increased access to academically rigorous secondary schools. Theo Killion, the chair of the national board of directors and an alumnus of the program, noted that Tezén, a first generation Peruvian-American, “has a deep personal affiliation to the power of educational experiences that change lives. For over 20 years Francisco has focused on developing and implementing strategies and partnerships to unlock the potential of mission-driven organizations.” Tezén was previously the chief development officer at the Food Bank For New York City, and held positions at Year Up, The New School, and Columbia Business School. Tezén majored in history and Latin American studies while at Wesleyan and earned his master’s in nonprofit management from the New School. He is married to Linda Rodriguez ’97.
Dr. Marion Stoj ’74, P’02 was awarded the Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. Polish President Andrzej Duda honored Stoj with the award during a ceremony on September 21, 2019, for his efforts furthering relations between Poland and the United States.
